

Best for beginner divers, 11-14m, boat entry, mild current.
Merville Patches is a reef site located off Grand Baie, Mauritius, featuring depths between 11 and 14 metres. This site is suitable for beginner divers, offering mild currents and visibility ranging from 16 to 30 metres. Access is by boat only, and the site is also suitable for night diving. Divers should be aware of boat traffic and deploy a surface marker buoy before ascending. Species recorded around this area include Emperor Angelfish, Turkey Moray, Spotfin Lionfish, Yellow-edged Moray, Trance Wrinkle Dorid, Indian Lionfish, Snowflake Moray, Lunartail Grouper, Leaf Scorpionfish, Titan Triggerfish, Giant Moray, Zebra Lionfish, Ribbon Eel, and Laced Moray.
-19.98950, 57.57638
Boat traffic is the main hazard here, so stay close to your guide during ascent and deploy your surface marker buoy before you leave the bottom. The site runs year-round, but booking a morning departure typically gives you calmer surface conditions for the boat ride out.
Book a boat dive at one of the dive schools in Grand Baie.
Recorded at this site
Depth
11-14m
Visibility
16-30m
Skill Level
Beginner
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
24-28°C
Current
Mild
Best Time
Year-round
Species recorded around this area include Emperor Angelfish, various moray eels such as Turkey, Yellow-edged, and Snowflake, and several lionfish species including Spotfin, Indian, and Zebra.
Yes, the site is suitable for beginner divers due to its shallow depth range of 11 to 14 metres and mild currents.
The reef sits at depths between 11 and 14 metres, with an average depth of 13 metres.
Merville Patches requires boat access.
While the site is primarily a dive location, the shallow reef structure may be accessible for snorkelling depending on boat operator policies and surface conditions.
The site operates year-round, but morning departures are recommended to experience calmer surface conditions for the boat journey.
Diving at Merville Patches in Grand Baie requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Merville Patches in Grand Baie. Water temperatures range from 24°C to 28°C.
Divers at Merville Patches in Grand Baie should be aware of stonefish. These encounters are generally rare and avoidable with proper awareness. Follow local safety guidance and maintain a respectful distance from all marine life.
Merville Patches in Grand Baie typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Merville Patches in Grand Baie typically ranges from 16 metres to 30 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.